Hi, I will be starting 6 cycles of chemo in April and really am devastated at losing my hair but hear awful things about the cold cap. Any advice gratefully received, love Sarah xx
Hi Sarah
Sorry I can’t help with the cold cap I decided not to use it especially as I suffer with migraines. I was told if I wanted to use it it would take a further 2 hours to my treatment.
I am sure someone who has used it will talk to you soon. You will probably find more information and experiences if you put cold cap in the search box.
Keep talking Sarah we can all help each other through the challenges.
Jan
Hi I’m having 4 cycles of Doxetacil & Cylophsphamide. I’ve used the cold cap it is bearable I usually take 2 paracetamol about 1 hour before it does extend your time, mine by around 75 mins. I lost no hair at all on the 1st cycle, it has shed on the 2nd & 3rd but still have about 60% of my hair. Having my last 1 on Monday hoping I don’t loose too much more.
It’s worth giving it a go if you want to try and preserve your hair, the 1st 20 mins are the worst.
Love Ann x
Hi Sarah,
Do you know what type of chemo you’ll be having as this will determine how long you’ll need to use the cold cap for during each treatment? I’m 3/4 of the way through my 8 cycles (4 of EC; 4 of Docetaxel) and have used the cold cap throughout. As Ann says the first 20mins are the worst but after that it becomes much more bearable - it’s almost as if your body acclimatises to it. Your nurse should give you paracetamol and also offer a lorazepam before the cold cap goes on - which I’ve had each time as it does help just take the edge off the whole experience. I’ve had 6 cycles so far with 2 left to go and I’ve probably lost 80-90% of the thickness of my hair. I know that sounds scary but it does mean I’m not bald and I still have a full head of hair (albeit very thin). How effective the cold cap is varies from person to person. A lady who I’ve seen on my chemo days since November has hardly lost any hair whilst another gave up after 2 cycles as she felt it just wasn’t for her.
When I was diagnosed I found the prospect of losing my hair very hard to come to terms with and when it did start falling out (around the end of cycle 1 for me) it was horrible. But as time has gone on it becomes easier to deal with and the cold cap has helped enormously. However if you decide not to use it or try it and decide it’s not for you theres nothing wrong with that either.
Yasmin X
Hi Sarah, for me the thinning/hair loss has been pretty even all over, which has made it easier to cope with. I think key to that is ensuring the cold cap itself fits correctly. If you’re using the paxman cold cap you’ll be fitted with a gel cap then something that resembles a riding helmet on top of that. To make sure both the top and sides of my head were firmly touching the sides of the gel cap my nurse recommended a medium gel cap and small “riding helmet”. Your nurses will no doubt try different combinations when you go for your first session so do be vocal if you feel the cap doesn’t fit correctly.
Good luck for Friday; if you have any more questions down hesitate to fire away!
Yasmin x
Thank you Yasmin there will be some I’m sure!! Sarah xx